Press Releases| Fresh Start is a False Start for West Tyrone

Fresh Start is a False Start for West Tyrone

SDLP West Tyrone representative Daniel McCrossan has slammed plans by Sinn Féin and the DUP to hand the power to legislate on welfare back to a Tory Westminster Government.

Mr McCrossan said: “The arrogance of Sinn Féin and the DUP has ramped up since the publication of their proposals in the ‘Fresh Start’ document last week. They have rushed to hand powers over welfare legislation back to the Tories at Westminster in an incredible move that sees Sinn Féin vote to disempower themselves and the DUP vote for proposals that they had previously voted against.

“West Tyrone is one of the most deprived communities on these islands. We’ve suffered from a chronic lack of investment in infrastructure and jobs. That’s why we needed a fairer deal for families on welfare. But now Sinn Féin and the DUP have handed that power to the Tories who have already introduced a punitive sanctions regime in Britain. People will be punished for not securing jobs that simply don’t exist. That is cruel and demonstrates basic economic illiteracy.

“The SDLP tabled amendments to the Bill at Westminster. We will continue to fight for a better way at Stormont. That may mean we stand alone politically but we’ll continue to stand by people here.”